Ethical Hacking

Overview
Ethical Hacking is CIS College’s 40-hour program on the offensive side of security. Where the Cyber Security course focuses on defense, this course puts you in the mindset of an attacker so you can find and understand weaknesses before real attackers do, always within a legal and ethical framework.
You will set up a safe lab environment using Kali Linux and VirtualBox, then work through reconnaissance, vulnerability scanning, and hacking techniques used against systems, networks, and wireless environments. The course also introduces the forensic and investigative skills used after an incident occurs, giving you a rounded view of both breaking in and understanding what happened.
What You Will Learn
- Set up a safe testing environment using Kali Linux and VirtualBox
- Understand the legal and ethical boundaries of penetration testing
- Perform reconnaissance and open-source intelligence gathering
- Use vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify system weaknesses
- Apply hacking techniques across physical access, LAN, WLAN, and internet-facing systems
- Use countermeasure and analysis tools such as sandboxing, honeypots, and encryption
- Understand the basics of computer and mobile forensics and data recovery
- Understand the deep and dark web and its role in cyber crime
Course Curriculum
| Module | What you cover |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Ethical Hacking | What is a hacker, lab setup with Kali Linux and VirtualBox, and legal and ethical boundaries |
| Reconnaissance & Information Gathering | Open-source intelligence, Google hacking techniques, social engineering, and phishing |
| Vulnerability Scanning & Penetration Testing | Identifying weaknesses in systems and networks before attackers do |
| System & Network Hacking Techniques | Exploiting physical access, LAN, WLAN, and internet-facing systems |
| Countermeasure Tools | Sandboxing, honeypots, intrusion detection and prevention, steganography, and cryptography |
| Computer & Mobile Forensics | Investigating compromised systems and devices, and data recovery basics |
| Deep & Dark Web | Understanding hidden networks and their role in cyber crime |
Target audiences
- Students who have completed the Cyber Security course and want to learn the offensive side
- Aspiring penetration testers and ethical hackers
Requirements
- Basic understanding of computers and networks is helpful